Indy to reveal ’F1 future’ next Thursday

UPDATE #2 This rumor is downgraded to 'false.' Chitwood spoke but he made no mention about the future of F1 at Indy. He says an announcement one way or the other probably won't be made until this year's race or soon thereafter.

01/11/07 Reminder – Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Joie Chitwood will address the future of Formula One in the U.S. as part of a global studies guest speaker series today at Marian College.

01/05/07 (GMM) The future of the United States grand prix at Indianapolis could be clearer by the end of next week.

The president of the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Joie Chitwood, will address "the future of formula one in the US" next Thursday at the city's Marian College, the newspaper Indy Star reported.

Race officials and Bernie Ecclestone last August penned only a one year deal for a United States grand prix in 2007.

Speedway CEO Tony George at the time cautioned that the deal is short because "there are too many unanswered questions to commit any longer than that".

He was referring to the sport's previously unresolved commercial and regulatory situation, but F1's relationship with Indianapolis was badly damaged when fourteen Michelin-shod cars pulled out of the 2005 race.